(06-04-2020, 11:27 PM)KodiakJag Wrote:

(06-04-2020, 05:14 PM)JagJohn Wrote: How would you grade Trump on these things?

To be fair, I must preface what I say by admitting that I really do not like Trump at all.

As President, I think he has done some good and some bad.

He has shown a willingness to deal with several major issues that many Americans have cared about for years, but have been saddled with administrations (Democratic and Republican) that haven't been able to deal with.  Immigration control is one.  Unfair trade practices is another.  People will have different opinions on how useful border walls and tariffs are, but at least he tried to do something about these issues instead of making the token campaign promise or two and then ignoring the issue once in office.  I'd give him a solid "B" grade in this area.

As far as representing the office of President, he leaves a lot to be desired.  I think he's seriously lacking in the areas of intellect and poise, and it has hampered his effectiveness.  Supporters will call his shortcomings in the latter to be a sort of rustic charm, using cowboy diplomacy to buck the establishment of political correctness and calling it like he sees it.  Yet, he's been holding a hammer since his inauguration, and every problem looks like a nail to him.  Concerning staff turnovers, he's been consistent in publicly belittling them after they have gone (ie, while working for him "This person is smart and effective" and then "I never liked them and they are very unintelligent" after they have left) which calls into question Trump's own intelligence.  I don't have an issue with him valuing loyalty over competence, but a lot of his dismissals sure seem retaliatory in nature.  Then there's the letter to Ergodan and his proclaimed love for Kim Jong Un.  I think he has earned a "D" grade in this area.

As far as international politics are concerned he has stepped on some toes, and I do believe that the world views America as less of a team player now.  Getting us out of Syria and other places we had no business being in helps, though.  This impending dispute with China may get ugly, but so far his other actions have not caused any boycotts of American goods or services that I know of.  I guess I would give him a "C" here.

Overall "C" I guess, though I wouldn't want to be the President dealing with the national debt issue a few administrations from now.

I agree with much of your sentiments. He is extremely ill-mannered and his style rankles the part of me that wants polite interactions. I think you can be both firm and polite without the need to be downright nasty (though there are times for nastiness too). He's been in a knife fight since he won the nomination and his style is often as detrimental as it's been positive. I am for his actions against China, they are the biggest problem that no one before him has had the stones to deal with, but I don't think he will ever serve to unite us, the left just hates him too much and he feels the same about them. Divisive politics isn't new, but his position as a Party outsider makes division even within his own party worse. I do wish he were better at the manners part, but his base traded manners for a willingness to fight back.

I give him a "B" for Better than Hillary.

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